Out and About

Eva Longoria Parker says she will spend New Year's Eve with "lots of friends, and with thousands of strangers."

That goes for just about everyone ringing in 2010 on the Strip, even if they aren't opening a new nightclub at CityCenter like the "Desperate Housewives" star.

Longoria Parker is used to opening-night jitters. MGM Mirage officials invited her to CityCenter after the high-profile launch of her Beso eatery in Hollywood with chef Todd English last year.

But the Hollywood branch of Beso has only a cozy lounge. For the CityCenter location in the Crystals retail complex, MGM Mirage officials talked her into going big with Eve, a nightclub with -- she begins to laugh as she rattles off the features -- a 50-foot arched ceiling, giant video screens and a booth for star DJs.

Playing the Bugsy Siegel role as New Year's host is new for the 34-year-old actress, who says she and husband Tony Parker usually "aren't big New Year's people." Parker's San Antonio Spurs usually play on the big night, so it's "a basketball game, dinner and home."

This year could rival Longoria Parker's first memorable New Year's Eve in Hollywood, when she first moved from Texas in 2000 to make her mark in show business. "My fancy dress was $30 from Forever 21," she recalls. "We went to West Hollywood and had the best time celebrating in the street."

And so they will on Las Vegas Boulevard. Here's an overview of the highlights, with a more detailed guide in the event listings. Take advantage of this early look, because some prices -- particularly for nightclub events -- go up as you get closer to the big night.

FIREWORKS

Last year, for the first time since 2000 turned to 2001, revelers proclaimed the fireworks on the Strip a dud. An unrelated fire atop of the Monte Carlo scared the synchronized fireworks display launch points off the rooftops and onto the ground or the top of parking garages.

Enough people claimed they couldn't see that officials reconsidered for this year, when Las Vegas really needs to keep the customer satisfied. A new launch point on top of CityCenter's Aria joins six established casinos: MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, The Venetian and Stratosphere.

Officials never like to be pinned down on when they will close the Strip to vehicular travel, but plan on driving parallel roads by 7 p.m.

Eva Longoria Parker, Carmen Electra, Kim Kardashian, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta and Sean Kingston are part of "Billboard's New Year's Eve Live" from Mandalay Bay Beach at 8 p.m. The show will be tape-delayed for the West Coast, airing at 11 p.m. on KVVU-TV, Channel 5.

BIG TICKETS

You can go home and tell your friends, "I partied with Bette Midler on New Year's Eve." You don't have to tell them, unless you just want to, that the "Smug Mutha" ticket is $2,010 per person. Don't worry, there are regular-price tickets, too.

Midler is an exception to the decade's trend of ticketed, formal entertainment getting out of the way of the fireworks and club life. But the year's big concert attraction is having it both ways: The Black Eyed Peas perform Tuesday and Wednesday at Mandalay Bay, before moving into the cozier LAX to host New Year's Eve.

Midler ends her show well before the midnight hour, but John Mayer is likely to take it all the way to countdown at the Hard Rock Hotel, as will Maroon 5 at the Palms.

PARTIES

Put on a party hat, blow on one of those curly paper-tongue noisemakers, and you'll hit one. Along with the opening of three new clubs (see sidebar), you can party with Maroon 5 when the group moves into the Palms' Playboy Club after their official show downstairs.

Christina Aguilera hosts the bash at Tao inside The Venetian, while Nicole Richie does the honors at sister club Lavo.

The new rock bar Smokin' Hot Aces also has its grand opening in The Venetian's retail area Thursday, though it has a "soft" opening starting Monday to work out the kinks.

Pete Wentz and DJ Skeet Skeet do the countdown honors at Jet inside The Mirage.

For those fond of pub crawls, Mandalay Bay offers a "block party" with an inclusive wristband providing access to several clubs and restaurants under one roof.

OFF THE STRIP

Friends of Las Vegas '80s rockers Slaughter can reunite with the band at the new Feelgoods Rock Bar & Grill.

If you keep flipping that coin -- rock or strippers? Rock or strippers? -- you can at least consolidate them on the same property. Slipknot's Corey Taylor brings his Junk Beer Kidnap band to a no-admission show at the new Dead Man's Hand club at the all-in-one Playground.

And those who pull up short of Las Vegas at Primm can keep it real with country icon Merle Haggard in the Star of the Desert arena.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.